Luther Burden, Emeka Egbuka, and Tetairoa McMillan lead extremely deep 2025 wide receiver class
We have been soiled with some incredible wide receiver classes in recent years. While it doesn’t appear as top-heavy as we have seen, the 2025 NFL Draft does appear to have another extremely talented wide receiver group. When taking a deeper look at the group, there are even some players who aren’t getting nearly enough […]
We have been soiled with some incredible wide receiver classes in recent years. While it doesn’t appear as top-heavy as we have seen, the 2025 NFL Draft does appear to have another extremely talented wide receiver group. When taking a deeper look at the group, there are even some players who aren’t getting nearly enough attention right now.
To give as much context as possible into this 2025 class, let’s break down the top ten pass catchers. For some fun, we can add the next five to watch after. If you love speed and explosiveness, buckle up.
1. Luther Burden (Missouri) – 5110e, 208e
A lot of Burden’s game is extremely similar to former Detroit Lions Pro Bowler Golden Tate. His best work comes after the catch, where Burden is a bit of a magician in space. The Missouri native comes off of a dynamic sophomore season where he really broke out. That included 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.
Burden isn’t the most precise route runner but he has a lot of upside in that area as well. He is a rare talent in the sense of Burden can win down the field, win after the catch, and is also more competitive at the catch point than his size would suggest.
2. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) – 6006v, 204v
People have forgotten how talented Egbuka is, mostly because of his injury-plagued 2023 season. If not for those durability issues last season, he would more than likely be in the NFL right now. People will soon remember Egbuka as the 2022 version where he hauled in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Egbuka is another dynamic player after the catch, doing his best work in the RPO and screen game from the slot. He is also a really nice route runner, clearly understanding how to evaluate and find space. With a fully healthy season, Egbuka has the chance to solidify himself as a first rounder in April.
3. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) – 6050e, 214e
In terms of ball skills, body control, and hand strength, McMillan is as good as anyone in the 2025 class. He is arguably the best in those areas we have seen come out in several years. McMillan, who is a massive kid, was almost uncoverable as a sophomore. That included 90 catches for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The biggest concern about McMillan is that he’s not the fastest pass catcher of all time, and only has solid flexibility. There is a question for whether McMillan is going to be able to create much separation outside of in the air.
4. Kaden Prather (Maryland) – 6040v, 211v
Tall, long, and explosive, you aren’t going to find too many wide receivers out there as impressive as Prather. After beginning his career with West Virginia, Prather was used more as an underneath pass catcher early in his career. In his first year with Maryland, he made a ton of big plays. That includes a per catch average of 15.9 yards.
From a complete receiver perspective, Prather isn’t there yet. He needs to more consistently sink getting in and out of his breaks. Prather has a flexible lower half so he’s very projectable as a route runner. Fine tuning the small details playing the position will be big in 2024.
5. Samuel Brown (Miami) – 6017v, 194v
If you like explosiveness, suddenness, and twitch, you are going to love Brown. While he is only an average route runner right now, you saw some big flashes in 2023. As a part of a really talented passing attack, Brown was able to make 62 receptions for 815 yards and three scores.
That production came while a part of the Houston program. There are a lot of expectations for what Brown can now do with the Hurricanes, along with quarterback Cameron Ward. If Brown is able to take the next step, a place in the first round is not out of the question next April.
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6. Isaiah Bond (Texas) – 5110e, 180e
He didn’t get a ton of publicity while with Alabama, but Bond is a big play waiting to happen. His skill set is somewhat reminiscent of Jaylen Waddle. Bond is now set to be the top man in Austin. You should expect him to improve on his 2023 numbers, where he caught 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns.
7. Deion Burks (Oklahoma) – 5090e, 190e
Hidden as a path of an underwhelming Purdue offense, the nation is about to find out a lot about Burks. Blessed with tremendous explosiveness, and acceleration, Burks has the ability to make a lot of plays down the field. We got a small taste of what it could look like for the Sooner during their spring game, making a ton of big plays.
8. Evan Stewart (Oregon) – 6000e, 175e
Stewart is a unique situation. A former five-star recruit, Stewart was a lot of flash but not very consistent while at Texas A&M, hauling in 91 receptions for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns the last two seasons. He’s rumored to run in the 4.3s in the forty-yard dash, although he doesn’t play like it consistently. Stewart needs to take a massive step forward in his first year with the Ducks.
9. Jalen Royals (Utah State) – 5114v, 194v
There might not be a more underrated wide receiver in the 2025 class than Royals, who is a lot better in the air than you would expect for a player his size. Royals has tremendous ball skills and tracking ability. His straight line speed is very underrated.
10. Daniel Jackson (Minnesota) – 6000e, 200e
There is an intriguing comparison that comes to mind when you watch Jackson, and one that many will not be too fond of. But Jackson does have some Amon-Ra St. Brown to his game, having really impressive foot quickness and understanding of how to run routes. He is one of the more underrated weapons in this class.
More talented pass catchers to know
There is quality depth to this 2025 wide receiver class. Here are some other key names to know.
Barion Brown (Kentucky) – 6010e, 182e
The NFL loves speed, so you should bet that they will be high Brown. While he isn’t overly productive as a wide receiver yet (43 receptions, 539 yards, four interceptions in 2023), Brown does bring huge kick return skills and elite speed to the table. The former Tennessee track star could run in the high 4.2s in the forty-yard dash when he tests during the draft process.
Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) – 5096v, 196v
This has been one of the better surprises of Summer Scouting so far. Noel is shorter, but has a densely built frame. That allows him to make a lot of plays after the catch. Noel is also super quick, and smooth to find space. He hauled in 66 receptions for 820 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) – 6040e, 219e
With Burks transferring to Oklahoma, Anderson has become a very underrated wide receiver. A lot of fans even talk more about both Andrel Anthony and Jalil Farooq. Anderson luls defenders to sleep with his long strides, creating a lot of big plays for the Sooners last season, finishing with 38 receptions for 798 yards and ten touchdowns. That 21 yards per game average was an impressive number.
Ricky White (UNLV) – 6006v, 173v
After beginning his career at Michigan State, White became a valuable player for UNLV in 2022. He did that one better in 2023, becoming one of the most productive wide receivers in college football. On the season, White hauled in 88 receptions for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns. While White is not the biggest wide receiver, he does a great job winning through traffic down the field. His ball tracking skills are some of the best in the class.
Kyren Lacy (LSU) – 6016v, 215v
Lacy boasts a strong frame, and is a really smooth route runner. His hands are inconsistent, but it did get better down the stretch of the season. It appears he could be set up to make a nice jump this season with more opportunity. Regardless, that size and nuance has a good chance to stick on a roster on the next level.
